Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

[timg19]

Hey all! I just bought my first boat this summer (2011) and have been reading this forum since then, really appreciate all the information!

First things first, here is my boat info:

• 1979 Thundercraft Titan
• 70 HP Johnson
• Boat and engine are in great condition, just had it out and was wake-boarding on it.
• Has only been in fresh water, and in one lake for that matter (I know original and second owners).
• I will be working inside and can control heat.
• I have experience with auto repairs, but never a boat.

I want to freshen it up a bit by shining up the outside (especially the faded blue) and add a black pinstripe or paint a black stripe above the side bumper (above the waterline).

First, if I wanted to do a pin stripe, any advice on what kind of material to use? If I wanted to paint, what kind of paint can I use for above the waterline (boat is fiberglass I believe).

Second, what are my options to shine up the existing blue stripe on the hull?

Thanks!

 

[oops!]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

hi.....welcome to iboats !

as far as re finishing the gellcoat....do a search ere on polishing.....there are tons of detailed information threads.

the black stripe....just pick a paint.....or...you might even want to go with a sticker !

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks "oops!"!

What about the lower portion of my outboard engine? I have a new prop I am putting on but a lot of the white paint is off below the water line. I'm assuming I don't need to worry about gellcoat for that? Would gellcoat even work on metal? Any suggestions on what I should use?

One last questions about paint. I was thinking about painting the window frames (which I believe are aluminum) to black. I heard that was a bad idea, but wondering if anyone had success with it?

 

[calvinator]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

I freshened up my boat this spring...

To revive the fiberglass shine, I used Aqua-buff and a 2500RPM polisher. Great results.

I had a faded vinyl stripe. I primed and repainted w/spray gun with Rustoleum marine paint. Very high gloss and at $14/qt much less expensive than any base/clear coat system.

I added some automotive grade vinyl graphics and pinstripes I bought off ebay.

Not alot of $$, just lots of labor in prepping, polishing, painting. As always, prep it right and your boat will look new.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Nice job "calvinator"! Really inspiring, thanks!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks "oops!"!

What about the lower portion of my outboard engine? I have a new prop I am putting on but a lot of the white paint is off below the water line. I'm assuming I don't need to worry about gellcoat for that? Would gellcoat even work on metal? Any suggestions on what I should use?

One last questions about paint. I was thinking about painting the window frames (which I believe are aluminum) to black. I heard that was a bad idea, but wondering if anyone had success with it?

You can try some Interlux "trilux 33" for your OB. .. or paint and clear rattle cans. ( prep is everything ).

I personally dont recommend Black for window frames .. Gets real hot on places you dont want to get hot.

But If you did want to paint the frames .. its again prep. Its not a bad idea to paint them whatever color you choose just because its alum. You can have Imron metallic black if you desire. .. or rusto.

YD.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks Yacht Dr! Any recommended reading on prep (especially for the OB surface)?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

What product(s) do you plan on using ?

There is a prep for alum thread in the Sticky How To's at the top of the forum with pics.

YD.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Here is what I was thinking for paint:

Paint
-----------
- base: Zinc Phosphate Primer, Yellow - Moeller
- color: Johnson White Engine Paint, 1977-80 - Moeller
- clear coat: Clear Coat Marine Lacquer - Moeller

I don't know where to start on prep, so that is where I need the help.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

There is a prep for alum thread in the Sticky How To's at the top of the forum with pics.

Just found the post you are taking about, this should really help, thanks! For anyone else that wants to look:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288451&p=1933139#post1933139

Any recommendations on sanding? I have a radial sander, do you suggest I use that or do it by hand?

 

[oops!]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

for the ob.....you will need to do it by hand.....

but the radial will be fine....just watch your grits

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks oops!

What grits would you suggest (dry or wet sanding)?

Also, with painting. How many coats of each (prime, color, clear-coat) would you suggest?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

How and what you would use is dependent on the condition of the drive. Sometimes its just better to get it blasted .. or blast it yourself with a cheap portable blasting hopper.

I like to end my grit with about 220 for primer.

3 coats of primer.. 3 coats of color .. 3 coats ( or more if you just dust and dust and dust then wetcoat ) clear.

Hope this helps

YD.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks YD! I understand everything you said except "dust and dust and dust then wetcoat". Is dust literarily wipping down the surface after painting? What is a wetcoat (is it the same as wet sanding)?

Sorry for the # of questions, as you can tell I'm brand new to the world of boats.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Thanks YD! I understand everything you said except "dust and dust and dust then wetcoat". Is dust literarily wipping down the surface after painting? What is a wetcoat (is it the same as wet sanding)?

Sorry for the # of questions, as you can tell I'm brand new to the world of boats.

I have a tendency to blurt out spec words without explaining .

For the clear coat you can apply 3 med-full ( wet coats ) or I have seen our Service tech just keep Dusting the clear ( light mist coats .. not wet ). Then his final clear coat is a full wet coat. His turns out nice actually .

Hope that explains it for ya.

YD.

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Makes sense, thanks! Just bought all my supplies here (iboats) today. Should get them next week and plan to start working the following once I get my boat back. I'll be sure to post all the photos from my project here!

Thanks for all your help everyone!

 

[timg19]

Re: Help With Above Water Line Paint and Detailing

Started a new topic for painting the engine:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=518289&p=3498408#post3498408